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Read Full BioPope Leo XIV has spoken out against gambling in an address to Italian mayors this week, claiming that the “scourge of gambling” has “ruined many families”.
In his speech published in Italian, Spanish, and English, Pope Leo stated, “I would like to draw attention, in particular, to the scourge of gambling, which ruins many families. Statistics show a sharp increase in Italy in recent years.”
He added, “As Italian Caritas emphasizes in its last report on poverty and social exclusion, this is a serious problem in terms of education, mental health, and social trust.”
Gambling Linked To Other Social Problems
He went on to link gambling to a series of other social issues and suggested that such problems are the result of a lack of community and meaningful social relationships. Recent research has linked sports betting to alcohol consumption and aggression.
Pope Leo continued, “We cannot forget other forms of loneliness that many people suffer from: mental disorders, depression, cultural and spiritual poverty, and social abandonment.”
In order to combat the rise of the problem, he called on politicians to focus on improving social care and fostering human relationships.
He added that the rise in gambling, among other social problems, “are signs that show how much hope is needed. To bear effective witness to it, politics is called upon to weave authentically human relationships among citizens, promoting social peace.”
Pope Leo Subject Of Gambling
Pope Leo was elected to his position in May this year, and gamblers wagered around $40 million on the identity of the new pope in prediction markets at Kalshi and Polymarket.
Additionally, before the announcement, around 75,000 gamers in Italy were playing Fantapapa, a fantasy sports-like game, which allowed them to predict a pope dream team. The app lets users draft a soccer-style lineup of 11 cardinals, including a team captain and a goalkeeper.
Italians Gambling More Despite Restrictions
Italians gambled around €170 billion ($200 billion) this year, an increase from the €157.4 billion wagered in 2024. The figure has been steadily rising over recent years, with the total amount wagered around €110.5 billion ($129 billion) in 2019.
It was in 2019 that Italy implemented a ban on gambling advertising, including betting companies sponsoring sports teams. The country has also drastically reduced the number of licensed operators in the country this year.
Italy has raised the cost of gambling licenses and limited licenses to around 30-35 from over 80 last year. The new changes have not reduced the amount Italians are gambling, but many say more users are also using unregulated platforms.
Coinciding with a reduced market, AGCOM, the Media and Communications Authority of Italy, also introduced stricter age verification procedures and other safeguards.
These restrictions do not seem to have curbed the rise in gambling. Pope Leo urges authorities to do more to address the underlying social problems that are causing the activity.
